Itaqui Port Cements Role as Strategic Hub with 34 Million Tonnes Handled in 2024

Itaqui Port posted a total cargo throughput of 34 million tonnes in 2024, consolidating its position as the fourth-largest public port in Brazil and the leading port in the North and Northeast regions, according to statistical data from Antaq. This performance underscores Itaqui’s strategic importance as the country’s largest fuel gateway and a key export hub for grains, particularly soybeans, which hit record volumes this year.

Although the total volume was slightly below 2023 levels, Itaqui Port achieved remarkable milestones, including new records:

• Soybeans: 13.74 million tonnes, the highest volume ever recorded.
• Fertilizers: 4.0 million tonnes, a 12% increase.
• Aluminum exports: A significant rise of 193%.
• Other notable cargo growths were coal (+65%), clinker (+20%), copper (+11%), and limestone (+19%).

The graph below shows the top most handled cargoes at the Port of Itaqui during the first eleven months of 2024. The data was extracted from the DataLiner tool.

Top Cargoes | Port of Itaqui | 2024 | WTMT

Fonte: DataLiner (clique aqui para solicitar uma demonstração) 

The most significant decline was in corn exports, influenced by several factors. According to Conab, the national corn harvest was 21.4 million tonnes lower. Increased domestic demand, spurred by a drop in global corn prices, and the launch of INPASA’s biorefinery in Balsas—which absorbed over 1 million tonnes of local production—resulted in a 3-million-tonne reduction in corn throughput compared to 2023.

Operational Advancements

Operational efficiency was a highlight of 2024. “We’ve boosted productivity across nearly all cargo categories, including mechanized and non-mechanized solid bulk,” said Operations Director Hibernon Marinho.

Boosting Maranhão’s Economy

Itaqui Port played a pivotal role in Maranhão’s economic development, particularly with the opening of Latin America’s largest corn ethanol biorefinery in Balsas. This facility reshaped corn export dynamics, redirecting much of the harvest to local processing for products like ethanol and corn gluten meal.

“This shift is a significant gain for Maranhão. While exporting less corn, we’re enhancing local production chains, such as pork farming and other industries that utilize corn gluten meal. This drives job creation, boosts tax revenue, and fosters regional industrialization,” emphasized the director.

The “Port of Development” approach continues to align local production with global market demands, directly contributing to job creation, increased tax revenue, and stronger domestic production chains.

Expectations for 2025

With a record soy harvest expected and growth in key cargo categories like fertilizers and minerals, Itaqui Port projects throughput to rise by over 1 million tonnes, reaching 35 million tonnes in 2025.

“We are optimistic that 2025 will be another year of growth and resilience. Our focus remains on investing in efficiency, sustainability, and innovation, further cementing our position as the leading port in the North and Northeast,” management stated.

Source: Porto do Itaqui

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